Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Mark A. Urista to the Minnesota Racing Commission. In addition, the Governor has appointed Lynn Leegard, who has been a member of the commission since 2005, chair of the Minnesota Racing Commission.

Urista, of Anoka, is a realtor and broker with Coldwell Banker Vision Realty in Elk River. He has been in real estate since 1984, and – with his wife, Deb – have owned the Coldwell Banker Vision agency since 1995, which won the Elk River Chamber of Commerce “Business of the Year” award in 2006. Urista served on the National Association of Realtors board; is a member of the Minnesota Association of Realtors, where he served as president in 2006; and is a member of the North Metro Realtors Association (NMRA), serving as president of that organization in 2000. He was NMRA “Realtor of the Year” in 2000, and won the NMRA “Broker of the Year” award in 2004. He also chaired the Elk River Economic Redevelopment Task Force. Urista replaces Darcy Hitesman on the Racing Commission to complete a six-year term that expires on June 30, 2015.

The Minnesota Racing Commission licenses persons and organizations to operate racetracks, conduct horse racing, and conduct pari-mutuel wagering on horse racing; enforces and collects all applicable taxes and license fees; establishes a Minnesota Breeders’ Fund; and, operates a card club. The commission consists of nine members appointed by the Governor.